Linguine with Clams

By charlotteh371

Ingredients

• 1 lb. uncooked linguine
• 1/2 lb. pancetta, diced
• 1 tbsp. olive oil plus more for garnish
• 1 cup minced celery
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 shallots, minced
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 4 dozen little neck clams, scrubbed
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

1. Prepare pasta according to package instructions, less 1 minute; drain pasta, reserving ⅓ cup cooking water.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium. Add pancetta and oil; cook, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is crisp, about 10 minutes.

3. Add celery, garlic, shallots and ¼ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add clams, white wine and crushed red pepper; cover, and cook until clams open, about 5 minutes. Stir in cooked pasta and reserved pasta water; toss to coat. Sprinkle with parsley, pepper and remaining ½ teaspoon salt; garnish with a drizzle of olive oil.
Serves: 4
Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Food Hack! To remove any lingering grit, soak clams in a bowl of lightly salted water for 20 minutes. Then lift the clams out by hand so the sand remains at the bottom of the bowl.